CLEVELAND, Ohio – An attorney for six police officers charged in the chase and shooting that killed two people said Friday that the officers have become "political footballs'' in a case that has divided community leaders and police officials.

Patrick D'Angelo told reporters after the officers appeared in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court that they risked their lives Nov. 29, 2012.

That's when Timothy Russell and his passenger, Malissa Williams, eluded officers during a 25-minute chase through Cleveland and East Cleveland. They were killed when police fired 137 shots at their car.

Attorney Patrick D'Angelo's statement following deadly police chase arraignmentsPatrick D’Angelo, one of the attorneys for Cleveland police patrolman Michael Brelo, talked with the media following arraignments of six officers. Brelo pleaded not guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter stemming from the death of Timothy Russell, 43, and Malissa Williams, 30, after the 23-minute car chase that ended with 13 officers firing 137 rounds during a 30-second shootout. Five supervisors, Sergeants Randolph Dailey, Patricia Coleman, Jason Edens, Michael Donegan and Lt. Paul Wilson, all pleaded not guilty to dereliction of duty.

"These are simple men and women who went to work that night to do the right thing,'' D'Angelo said.

He also lashed out at Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty for using sound bites to punish the officers in the court of public opinion.

"We're used as political footballs by people who have their own agendas,'' D'Angelo said.

Brelo, 30, pleaded not guilty to voluntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony. If convicted, he will be sent to prison. Judge Lance Mason set his bond at 10 percent of $10,000.

Donegan, Dailey, Edens, Wilson and Coleman pleaded not guilty to charges of dereliction of duty involving their supervising roles in the chase. Mason gave the supervisors personal bonds.

Judge John O'Donnell was assigned to handle their cases.

About 100 officers showed their support for the six charged by arriving early and standing outside the courtroom where the officers were arraigned.

About two hours after the hearing, McGinty countered.

"It was disappointing to see the police union attempt to pack and intimidate the courtroom with uniformed police officers -- especially since this obviously planned action is another violation of police department policy,'' McGinty said in a statement.

6 Cleveland police officers plead not guilty to charges from fatal car chaseCleveland police patrolman Michael Brelo pleaded not guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter stemming from the death of Timothy Russell, 43, and Malissa Williams, 30, after the 23-minute car chase that ended with 13 officers firing 137 rounds during a 30-second shootout. Five supervisors, Sergeants Randolph Dailey, Patricia Coleman, Jason Edens, Michael Donegan and Lt. Paul Wilson all pleaded not guilty to dereliction of duty.

"Officers decided to ignore their department's rules on Nov. 29, 2012. The result was a protracted high-speed chase that put the public and officers in danger, the death of two unarmed people -- one a totally innocent passenger -- and a circular firing squad that nearly killed several of their own.''

McGinty's use of the phrase "circular firing squad'' enraged D'Angelo, who said it was inflammatory, insensitive and unprofessional.

The chase began near the Justice Center, as officers said they believed that Russell's speeding car had fired shots at them. Authorities later said the sound was likely the older model car backfiring.

More than 60 police cars joined the chase that reached speeds of more than 125 mph. The chase snaked through Cleveland and ended at an East Cleveland middle school, where police attempted to stop the car, but the car kept heading toward officers, according to the officers' statements.

The officers told investigators that they believed Russell and Williams had weapons. In fact, they did not. But the officers believed that the car's occupants were firing at them.

In total, 13 officers fired their weapons. They told investigators they feared for their lives.

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